(1888PressRelease)
May 24, 2007 - Students and instructors of design and architecture can access information about this year’s program and previous winning entries in the “Awards” section under “About MCA” at www.metalconstruction.org. Or, a 2007 information brochure, poster and entry form can be downloaded directly from: www.metalconstruction.org/about_m ca/index.cfm?pg=studentawards.htm
Now in its tenth year, this annual competition offers students in schools of architecture a chance to learn about designing and building with metal.
Entrants must address architectural, structural, functional, cultural, and environmental issues in the design of a project that uses metal in sheets or other forms as well as metal structural members.
“The growth of this program to educate future architects and engineers about metal is very gratifying. These students know how critical improving the environment is to their future and each year more of them are recognizing metal’s value as a green product,” notes Peter Croft, chairman of the MCA Awards Committee, and vice president of Oceanside, Calif.-based Metro Roof Products. A record number of 120 entries were received for the 2006 program.
Each year a team of professional architects and Chicago Park District planners headed by Andy Koglin, AIA, vice president of Chicago-based OKW Architects, develops a new project theme and specifications typically related to recreation and based on an actual Chicago Park District site. This year’s project features a back-to-nature theme that involves designing facilities for a nature center on an island setting on the shores of Lake Michigan just south of downtown Chicago.
Individuals or groups of students can submit designs, but each entry must have a faculty sponsor. The deadline for this year’s submissions is November 5, 2007. All entries received by that date will be judged by a panel of practicing architects and park district planners on November 12, 2007. MCA provides a total of $7800 in awards to students, faculty sponsors, and schools of the top three winning entries.
MCA is an organization of manufacturers and suppliers whose metal products are used in structures throughout the world. The association promotes the use of metal in construction through education, marketing support, technical programs, monitoring of industry issues and achievement awards.
The Student Design Competition is just one of several design award programs supported by MCA. Others include the MCA President’s Awards and the Design Awards made by Modern Trade Communications. To learn more about MCA visit www.metalconstruciton.org
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